Bernie Ecclestone Casts Fresh Doubt Over F1 Race In New Jersey

A "fresh doubt" has been cast over whether next year's Grand Prix of America will go ahead as planned in New Jersey, according to Andrew Benson of the BBC. F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone said the race would "definitely" not happen. He then added that it would "if the track were ready in time." Race President Tom Cotter insisted the track "was ahead of schedule." The event, which runs along a street course overlooking the Hudson River and Manhattan skyline, is planned "to be twinned with the Canadian Grand Prix next June" (BBC, 6/24). EUROSPORT's Elizalde & Bradley reported that New Jersey secured a 10-year deal to host the grand prix from next year, and construction of the circuit "has already begun in selected areas." Ecclestone said, "I need to go and have another look. What I've seen up to now, and what's been going on, I'm not quite as sure as they are. If they can get it completed, and confirm to us it will be done, for sure they'll be on the calendar." World champion Sebastian Vettel "sampled the planned route of the circuit" after the Canadian Grand Prix and the Red Bull driver said in Valencia on Thursday that organisers had "not made much progress with the track" (EUROSPORT, 6/23).